Honest Politicians – Not an Oxymoron

I'm in . . .

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

I'm afraid to join. I haven't met a politician I respect (with the exception of one judge) since moving down into oil-central Texas. The politicians we have down here in my neck of the woods are routinely outed for graft and corruption. *Sigh*

I'll see what I can find. I did know of one I respected in Oklahoma. Knew him personally and know why I respect him, but I couldn't tell you when (or if) he stopped being in office or where he is now. Last I heard he was a state senator, but I could be wrong. I haven't lived in Oklahoma in nineteen years.

Sigh. There was a Senator from California whom I admired for many years. Even met him and talked to him a few times. He sponsored good bills. I thought he was okay. But...he turned out to have feet of clay.
Alan Cranston.

Thanks, everyone. I look forward to this.

What I would really like to see are the personal stories about politicians you've met and what you liked about them. Even if these people are no longer in office, or were disappointing in some ways, tell us what you appreciated about their character. Maybe what we learn from one another's thoughts about what makes a good politician will help us recognize (or recruit) the next one.

I met Sen. Alan Cranston and liked him very much.

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

Love the idea of the group - am optomistic that there will be a lot of contributions (or, is that just unfounded hope?).

I respect my Fed representative, Rep. John Larson - although sometimes I wish he would not be so compromising (he's Nancy Pelosi's right hand man), but then I think, "Isn't this the type of mentality that I wish ALL Congresspeople would have? Know how to talk to all sides and reach a compromise?"

"Know how to talk to all sides and reach a compromise?"

Not everything can be compromised . . . it's good if they know what can and what cannot be compromised.

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

True enough, Doyle. But nothing's going to get done if people keep up this senseless politicking. I hate the fact that Bush has created this totally black/white thing in DC - worse than it's ever been. It knocks out even the chance to DISCUSS issues. It's anti-diplomacy, anti-debate, anti-intellectual thought. Are we going to get anywhere if we refuse to even listen to, understand and discuss each others' opinions on topics?

There will always be the people who hold fast to the extreme right and the extreme left. If their constituents are paying attention, they will vote them out. We have always had a number of ways of looking at something in this country. One of our greatest attributes is the ability to voice those opinions, and have them represented in debate openly. When that debate is shut down, we have lost something very precious about our government, and our nation.

Not everything can be compromised . . . it's good if they know what can and what cannot be compromised.

I worked on this with my granddaughters (ages five and six) over the weekend. They spent the night with me and kept bickering. I ignored it for a while and then finally told them we were going to have a meeting each time they disagreed, and the purpose of the meeting would be to find a resolution that everyone could be happy with. I helped with the first couple, and then they proceeded on their own. Little one said, "If you just say you're sorry, I will be happy." Older one said okay. I knew the older was really in the right this time, so I asked if she could really be happy with saying she was sorry. She just wanted to play and forget it, so she could.

I agree that there are times when compromise is out of the question. But I think, for the most part, if people sincerely look for what works best (not necessarily what makes us happy as adults) for the most concerned, we can find compromises or resolutions that we can live with. I don't expect to find politicians with whom I always agree, but am happy if I find one that I know will look at the bigger picture, consider the well being of everyone concerned, and make an informed, wise, selfless decision.

Wish I could contribute to this, but I'm afraid I can't. I even have a nephew who is a senator (state...New Jersey) and don't consider him a contender. I have met several local and national politicians over the years, and every single one of them think of their jobs primarily as a way to make money and only incidentally as a way to contribute to the greater good.

Ruth, I hope it pleases you to know that I know two who donate their salaries to charity.

"...and every single one of them think of their jobs primarily as a way to make money and only incidentally as a way to contribute to the greater good. "
A lot of people work to make money . . . I don't think that should disqualify someone.

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~

A worthwhile cause ... I know there must be some few ... but not any more than that. :-(

I don't have a problem with politicians making an honest living in politics. I do have a problem with politicians all but owned by the people who give them money. If you're taking a salary from the taxpayers, you should be working for the public good.

I'm with Doyle, too. Compromise is often necessary but it shouldn't always be on the table. Top of my list for a good politician is honesty (yeah, the real thing). If you lie to get where you're going, my money's that you're not on the side of good. There's a quote I really like that touches on this subject:

Once we assuage our conscience by calling something a "necessary evil," it begins to look more and more necessary and less and less evil. --Sydney J. Harris

It's very easy for compromise to become a slippery slope where the truth is lost.

That's a great quote, Stephanie. I'm in. I have made this point in a comment on one of Bert B's articles - although I don't know them personally, there are a few politicians I admire, & I'll tell you all about them.

I really like that quote, Stephanie. I looked up Sydney J. Harris just for fun to find out a little about him. A writer and columnist, born in London, but grew up and lived his entire life in Chicago. Quite a prolific writer. Died in 1986.

Sounds great I am there.

Politics is not my forte'. In fact, it leaves me feeling a bit woozy after too much discussion. I know my politicians and what I do or don't like about them so I can make a rational decision as to whether I want them in office or not. Other than that I try to leave politics and religion alone.

I'm down but I honestly do think it is a hopeless endeavor

although I don't know them personally, there are a few politicians I admire, & I'll tell you all about them.

Anxious to see them, Gary.

I'll do my best to write about my political hero, Sandy. I've known him -- distantly -- since 1980, and am very proud that he is my Congressman: Rep. Maurice Hinchey.

I spent a semester as a legislative aide, and met politicians of every sort; in fact, I was actually propositioned by one of the Assemblymen, but my friend and I just had a good laugh over it at the time because we couldn't believe he'd said what he said! Later, he was brought up on charges of sexual harassment, but that was a new concept back then, really. My, how times have changed...!

Great idea to create a group like that. I'm generally rather pessimistic, and I don't know any politicians in person, but I might have a contender. I'll have to look into the situation in more detail though, to make sure there isn't anything important I don't know about. :-)

Dannielle, I'm anxious to see your article about Rep. Maurice Hinchey. And, yes, how things have changed (or at least we've changed the things we'll talk about, I suspect they were happening all along).

Aniko, thanks. After seven years of everything negative, I think it might be fun to look for some positive - even if it's hard to find. That might make it even more fun in the end.

Nelson Mandela comes to mind....

Nelson Mandela comes to mind...

Will you write it, Safi? (I've missed you and am so happy to see you again.)

Sandy, I don't think I can write another article about John Edwards now that he's not running for anything. I spent so much of my time over a year trying to convince people to support him. He's a gem, and someone I trust because his heart really is in the right place.

I grew up with a family that was active in local Democratic politics. As a result, I knew several honest politicians who were friends of my family. One was a mayor, another a state senator. Even my Mom ran for city council once. As you might imagine, due to this experience, it has never been my assumption that all politicians are dishonest. Many are, but quite a few are not. Many just want to serve their communities, their states, or their country.

I think there is quite a bit of dishonesty in politics. If nothing else, the need to defeat rival politicians may lead to gross exaggeration of the other's faults. I think we saw quite a bit of that in the Democratic primary. Also, political achievement brings power, and power corrupts.

Important questions I think we need to ask ourselves about anyone running for office is, does their message seek to control us by fear and a promise of salvation from that fear? Or is their message one that shows compassion and empathy? Those that seek power and control through fear are not in the political game to serve others, but to seek power for themselves. It's important to remember that every time someone says something like "hey, look over there! It's the bogey man! Only I can protect you from him."

Astrogirl, I agree with you - about John Edwards and about the things we need to look for in politicians. I also understand that you must feel disheartened after all the energy you put into the Edwards campaign. Will you consider adding one of the articles you wrote about him before to the group? And writing about one (or some) of the others you've known? I would truly treasure you contributions to the group (also any advice you have for the group or your assistance in monitoring it).

p.s. My dream position for John Edwards is Attorney General

Hey Sandy, I will definitely post one of my old articles to the group and I'll consider writing about some of the other honest politicians I have known, although none of them are currently politicians and one of them is no longer with us, so it's not like anyone can vote for them.

I hope John Edwards gets to be A.G. too. I think it would be a good position for him. I also hope that Obama gets elected and turns out to be better than I expect.

Sandy, you point out my lack of political involvement, because I don't know any politicians who fill the criteria. I agree with you that they are out there and I hope I can find a way to fit more involvement into my life. For now I'll take what inspiration I can from you.

The late Ella Grasso would be my vote. I met her nearly 30 years ago while I was a teenager. She was Governor of Connecticut, the first woman ever elected to such a position on her own. We spent a day sitting together on a bus to New Hampshire on Presidential primary day. I was impressed with her passion and dedication. Here I was just a teenager with strong opinions and the woman listened to me and discussed hot topics with me. Then we spent the day walking and knocking on doors. I felt she was a Governor "of the people and for the people." Sadly she resigned from office shortly before succumbing to ovarian cancer a few years later. That same day I met Ted Kennedy and other key figures in New England politics. This inspired me to go on and do a brief internship with Senator (soon-to-be-Governor) Weicker. I still think about the things Ms. Grasso and I discussed to this day and the challenges she shared with me of governing the state.

One very big thing I took away from my meeting Ella Grasso was how we all benefit from a woman's perspective. This was a key milestone in my life where I formed the theory that the most effective teams were diverse teams. In business and in my charity work I have had a chance to build highly diverse teams and I believe the teams are more effective and each individual contributor grows through interacting with other points of view.

Thank you, Rich. I hope you will publish your article about Ella Grasso in this group, and consider writing about the others you know. We need your positive experiences.

Nice to see you again.

time for some campaigning

slightly to the outer limits of topic

That's fun, Libramoon.